The Atlanta Hawks (3-12) look to snap their six-game losing streak when they go head-to-head against the Indiana Pacers (9-6) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 17, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports – Southeast.
Indiana is a 12-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 219 points.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Prediction
In the Hawks’ last matchup, they were thoroughly outplayed by the Denver Nuggets, 138-93, and were unable to cover as 14-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (231) were over the projected point total of 223. Denver’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Atlanta. The Nuggets had a rate of 0.633 (above their season average of 0.515), while the Hawks posted a mark of 0.397 (below their season average of 0.517). Omari Spellman put together a solid game for Atlanta, recording 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Pacers were victorious over the Miami Heat in their last contest, 99-91, covering as 2.5-point favorites. The game’s total points (190) finished well under the projected point total of 210. Making free throws was one of Indiana’s largest strengths. They were 13-15 (86.7 percent), while the Heat were just 7-10 (70.0 percent). Tyreke Evans was Indiana’s top scorer with 23 points on 6-for-13 shooting from the field.
After the Pacers won three out of four contests against the Hawks last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the last contest, Indiana won 112-87. The Pacers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (23.7 vs. 13.0) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.571 vs. 0.476).
Atlanta holds records of 3-12 straight up (SU) and 6-9 against the spread (ATS). Hawks games have finished over the total 53.3 percent of the time.
Indiana has a solid 9-6 SU record, but they are just 6-7-1 ATS. Vegas tends to set the total high when the Pacers are involved, as six of their 15 games have finished under the total.
Domantas Sabonis and Bojan Bogdanovic have been playing well over the last five games for Indiana. Sabonis has averaged 14.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Not to be outdone, Bogdanovic has put up 15.2 points and 2.2 steals a game during that span.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Indiana figures to have a noteworthy edge. The sharp-shooting Pacers offense ranks seventh in the NBA in that metric at 0.536, while the Atlanta defense is ranked 29th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.544). This contest should be a battle of opposite paces. The fast-breaking Hawks rank second in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Pacers rank 28th.
Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers ATS Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Atlanta is 4-5 ATS on the road with 5 overs and 4 unders.
Indiana is 3-3 ATS at home with 5 unders and 1 over.
Indiana is 3-1 when they allow under 100 points, while Atlanta is 0-1.
In games where they score more than 100 points, the Pacers are 8-2 and the Hawks are 3-9.
Indiana ranks third in points off turnovers per game (21.1) while Atlanta ranks 29th in points off turnovers allowed per game (23.5).
The Pacers rank second in second chance points allowed per game (10.7) while the Hawks rank 28th (16.8).
Atlanta ranks fourth in three pointers attempted per game (35.5) while Indiana ranks 27th (24.7).
The Pacers rank eighth in assists allowed per game (22.3) while the Hawks rank 29th (27.3).
Indiana ranks fifth in steals allowed per game (6.8) while Atlanta ranks 24th (9.7).
The Pacers rank sixth in rebounds allowed per game (42.1) while the Hawks rank 25th (48.4).
Indiana averages 15.0 fast break points per game, which ranks 10th in the league. Atlanta ranks 26th in fast break points allowed per game (16.6).
The Pacers rank first in points allowed in the paint per game (39.2) while the Hawks rank 10th (46.7).
Atlanta averages 5.6 blocks per game, which ranks 14th in the league. Indiana ranks 20th in blocks allowed per game (5.9).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five games, Atlanta is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Indiana is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Hawks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 14.6, up from 11.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 100.0 points per game (5.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.2 points per game (1.0 below their season average).
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